Al-Zarqawi Injured?

24/05/2005| IslamWeb

An al-Qaida-linked group in Iraq has said its leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been wounded and urged Muslims to pray for him, according to a Web posting.

"O nation of Islam... Pray for the healing of our Sheikh Abu Musab al-Zarqawi from an injury he suffered in the path of God," said a statement on Tuesday from the al-Qaida-linked Organisation for Jihad in Iraq. Its authenticity could not be verified.

US reaction

In Baghdad, US army Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Boylan, spokesman for US forces in Iraq said: "We have no information on whether he's wounded or what the state of his health is. He's still our number one target to be captured or killed and until that happens, the hunt is still on."

AFP quoting an unnamed US military spokesman in Baghdad said he declined to comment on the al-Zarqawi report, but added that if it were true, "Speaking personally, I would be pleased."

There were media reports earlier this month that the US military was investigating whether al-Zarqawi was at a Ramadi hospital and whether he was ill or wounded. These reports were never confirmed.

PHOTO CAPTION

A U.S. Army Humvee burns after a car bomb attack in Baghdad May 24, 2005. (Reuters)